The varied architectural styles at the rear of the 19th-century Hops House in Sussex inspired Jackson Design Studio to introduce a distinctly modern extension, finished in copper.

This new addition provides a kitchen, living room, and dining area for Hops House, which takes its name from its original use as a brewery.

Since being converted into a home, the property has seen numerous modifications over the years.

Consequently, the house displays a combination of architectural periods: the front facade is classically Georgian and symmetrical, while the rear incorporates both mock-Georgian and Edwardian influences.

“The temptation might have been to remodel the rear of the property to create a unified Georgian house,” said Alex Jackson, founder of Jackson Design Studio.

“Instead, we chose to introduce a new layer of architecture to the evolving extensions, building on the house’s history and contributing to its unique identity,” he continued.

“Our aim was both to create a space tailored for the family and to design an extension that respected the home’s previous adaptations while preparing it for the next chapter in its life.”

The design team opted for a contemporary extension clad in copper, chosen for its durability and the distinctive way it develops a patina over time.

“Throughout its lifespan, copper reveals deep petrol blue hues and rusty reds, colours that complement the Flemish bond brickwork of the original house,” Jackson noted.

“Copper also nods to the building’s brewing heritage, as copper vessels were likely once used on the premises.”

Jackson and his team designed the extension with a stepped roof, echoing the “horizontal expression” of the original structure.

Large glass pocket doors have been incorporated on each side of the extension, allowing views out to the garden and mature oak trees beyond.